One chart shows where jobs will be available in August 2024.

One chart shows where jobs will be available in August 2024.
One chart shows where jobs will be available in August 2024.

The U.S. economy's employment growth varied across industries, as the August jobs report fell short of expectations.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, leisure and hospitality, health care, and social assistance each added more than 40,000 jobs, leading the growth in employment.

If economists include private education in the health care group, the category would have grown by 47,000 jobs.

In the report, conflicting data was observed in various job categories. While construction grew by 34,000 jobs, manufacturing lost 24,000 jobs. Professional and business services added 8,000 jobs, but information services subtracted 7,000.

"According to former Department of Labor chief economist Betsey Stevenson, the job growth is mainly coming from three sectors: leisure and hospitality, health and education services, and government. However, there is little growth in business and professional services, which she believes indicates a slowing down economy."

Although some stronger categories experienced a temporary slowdown, the health care sector still added 31,000 jobs, which is about half its average growth over the past 12 months, according to the bureau.

by Jesse Pound

Markets